GUWAHATI: In a significant policy shift, the Assam government has announced that the Assamese language will soon be made compulsory in all English-medium schools affiliated with the state board and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
This decision follows the recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee and aligns with Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, which emphasizes the promotion of the Assamese language.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the new policy, emphasizing the government's interest in preserving and promoting the Assamese language in the educational system. The new policy aims to strengthen the understanding of students about their linguistic heritage and cultural identity.
Within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the policy will require students to learn Bodo or Assamese as a compulsory subject, corresponding to the linguistic pluralism in the area. The move intends to instil a sense of belonging and cultural identity for the students and make them proficient in the languages spoken in their communities.
Weeks ago, the Assam Cabinet and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) held extensive discussions on implementing 52 recommendations from the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. One of the major decisions taken at the meeting was that all government notices, circulars, and government documents would be published in Assamese and English from 14th April. In the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the same documents were to be published in Bodo language as well so that linguistic inclusion would be maintained.
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